The sign in front of Fred and Katey Meisner's home in Highland Twp. brings awareness to autism. The couple's 3-year-old son Kyle was diagnosed with autism at age 1. (submitted photo)

FYI

Home Depot is selling three types of blue Philips light bulbs and an Amerelle night light, offering people across the United States the opportunity to raise autism awareness throughout Autism Speaks’ annual Light It Up Blue Autism Awareness Month campaign.

What to watch for in children:

The characteristic behaviors of autism spectrum disorder, according to the Autism Society, may or may not be apparent in infancy (18 to 24 months), but usually become obvious during early childhood (24 months to 6 years).

Your child’s doctor should perform a “developmental screening,” asking specific questions about your baby’s progress. The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development lists five behaviors that warrant further evaluation:

Does not babble or coo by 12 months

Does not gesture (point, wave, grasp) by 12 months

Does not say single words by 16 months

Does not say two-word phrases on his or her own by 24 months

Has any loss of any language or social skill at any age

One recent day, Katey Meisner of Highland walked into her local Home Depot and bought all the available blue light bulbs

Meisner — whose 3-year-old son, Kyle, has autism — then went door-to-door in her neighborhood, handing out the bulbs.

“I went to over 30 homes and no one said no,” said Meisner, a journalist with Westend. “It was extremely touching.”

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People driving past the Meisner home Wednesday, April 2 –– World Autism Awareness Day –– would have seen a handmade sign out front with Kyle’s photo, and the words, “Light Up Blue for Kyle.”

Autism is a general term used to describe a group of complex developmental brain disorders – autism spectrum disorders – caused by a combination of genes and environmental influences, according to AustismSpeaks.com. These disorders are characterized, in varying degrees, by communication difficulties, social and behavioral challenges, as well as repetitive behaviors. An estimated one in 88 children in the U.S. is on the autism spectrum – a 78 percent increase in six years.

Meisner and her husband Fred suspected Kyle might have autism when he was a year old.

The little boy didn’t make good eye contact and slapped his arms, said Katey, 35.

“He tiptoe-walked, one of the signs, spun in circles and was extremely anti-social,” she said.

Early intervention is crucial with autistic children, said Meisner.

Kyle, who receives speech, occupational and physical therapy, has since been enrolled in Early On, a program for autistic children. The Meisners removed their TV so as not to distract him.

“He is doing absolutely fantastic,” said Meisner, praising her husband for his support.

Kyle spells in sentences, she said, “quite amazing for a child of his age.”

Meisner, who also has a 20-month-old daughter, placed a sign outside her home

Awareness campaigns such as Home Depot’s are important, she said.

“It helps the public understand the hurdles that these children and their parents endure,” said Meisner, 35.

If people encounter an autistic child in public, it helps to smile or positive affirmation, Meisner said.

“Offer support and love to the family whose realities are far different than those who are not affected by autism directly,” she said.